With the introduction of Common Sign Language as a new language type, is it possible to cast a spell using Common Sign Language regardless if a character is not mute? Would this be a fair? Would this wind up bypassing the effects of the Silence spell? You’re essentially giving up on learning more diverse and exotic languages for the ability to use a non-audible language. Would that be fair trade-in so your character can talk to other intelligent creatures who don’t have the ability to talk? The RAW says “must be uttered in a normal speaking voice.” It seems to go against the open-minded modern thinking that Dungeons & Dragons is heading towards, that could allow any character who is mute to be a spellcaster? Characters with disabilities help enrich the game as whole by showing that diversity does not mean species or something 100% visible. The book art in various presentations shown a character in a wheelchair. What if a character is missing a body parts, like hands or feet/legs? Could they still meet the Somatic components of a spell or do unarmed attacks? Or that the PC is actually blind? Would illusion spells actually work or do little to nothing?
OR would it be fair by saying the use of Common Sign Language as an act of the Verbal component, that the Sign Language produces a magical tune or humming sound? THUS they are still making sounds needed for the casting of a spell. Could this be the workaround?
It would be helpful to have extra material with the aid of various disabled individuals & medical professionals who understand the issues that these people go through to better understand a situation that could propose new rulings for PCs that have these issues. Expanded rules that can give options to make such a character would offer insight of how to properly address these unique challenges. Maybe even add the cost of buying or making a wheelchair? How seeing-eye Familiars or Beast Masters and their Primal Companion could work out?
I am only asking all this if these can be fairly explained and implemented without player-DM conflicts and can be used in any game? It all feels like the answer will be “whatever the DM says it goes” or “within reason”.
Per the rules for verbal components, "The words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power; rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion." Sign language can include words, but it does not have sounds, pitch, or resonance.
Long story short, a verbal requirement is a verbal requirement. Having the ability to communicate nonverbally doesn’t change the requirements of the spell.
I understand your point, Shane. I also offered the idea of Sign Language used in the spell could “magically” make sounds. In the effect of the Silence spell, Sign Language Verbal component could not work because Silence halts that magical hum or tune. Just as an idea.
From a RAW standpoint, there's nothing to support it, but from a homebrew standpoint I think you have an interesting idea. It doesn't need to be magical, either; you can make a lot of noise with your hands and feet: mostly by snapping, clapping, and stomping.
I point out the other thread for you to join because I think you might find some interesting discussion there.
How does one perform sign language when swinging a halberd to cast true strike? Overall, I'd say no. Additionally there is no such thing as a muted condition but there is a deafened condition, however lesser restoration removes deafened. I would think it would be inferred that lesser restoration would cure a muted condition if it existed (or greater restoration, if not lesser).
If you're a spell caster, you're likely to have what is necessary to pay a Cleric, Druid, Bard, Paladin or Ranger to cast the relevant one of those spells, so a mute spellcaster doesn't make that much sense, in my opinion. But sign language additionally would conflict with somantic and material components on a number of spells.
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With the introduction of Common Sign Language as a new language type, is it possible to cast a spell using Common Sign Language regardless if a character is not mute? Would this be a fair? Would this wind up bypassing the effects of the Silence spell? You’re essentially giving up on learning more diverse and exotic languages for the ability to use a non-audible language. Would that be fair trade-in so your character can talk to other intelligent creatures who don’t have the ability to talk? The RAW says “must be uttered in a normal speaking voice.” It seems to go against the open-minded modern thinking that Dungeons & Dragons is heading towards, that could allow any character who is mute to be a spellcaster? Characters with disabilities help enrich the game as whole by showing that diversity does not mean species or something 100% visible. The book art in various presentations shown a character in a wheelchair. What if a character is missing a body parts, like hands or feet/legs? Could they still meet the Somatic components of a spell or do unarmed attacks? Or that the PC is actually blind? Would illusion spells actually work or do little to nothing?
OR would it be fair by saying the use of Common Sign Language as an act of the Verbal component, that the Sign Language produces a magical tune or humming sound? THUS they are still making sounds needed for the casting of a spell. Could this be the workaround?
It would be helpful to have extra material with the aid of various disabled individuals & medical professionals who understand the issues that these people go through to better understand a situation that could propose new rulings for PCs that have these issues. Expanded rules that can give options to make such a character would offer insight of how to properly address these unique challenges. Maybe even add the cost of buying or making a wheelchair? How seeing-eye Familiars or Beast Masters and their Primal Companion could work out?
I am only asking all this if these can be fairly explained and implemented without player-DM conflicts and can be used in any game? It all feels like the answer will be “whatever the DM says it goes” or “within reason”.
Per the rules for verbal components, "The words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power; rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion." Sign language can include words, but it does not have sounds, pitch, or resonance.
Thread on sign language already exists, please join the discussion there: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/rules-game-mechanics/205782-common-sign-language-and-spellcasting
Long story short, a verbal requirement is a verbal requirement. Having the ability to communicate nonverbally doesn’t change the requirements of the spell.
I understand your point, Shane. I also offered the idea of Sign Language used in the spell could “magically” make sounds. In the effect of the Silence spell, Sign Language Verbal component could not work because Silence halts that magical hum or tune. Just as an idea.
From a RAW standpoint, there's nothing to support it, but from a homebrew standpoint I think you have an interesting idea. It doesn't need to be magical, either; you can make a lot of noise with your hands and feet: mostly by snapping, clapping, and stomping.
I point out the other thread for you to join because I think you might find some interesting discussion there.
How does one perform sign language when swinging a halberd to cast true strike? Overall, I'd say no. Additionally there is no such thing as a muted condition but there is a deafened condition, however lesser restoration removes deafened. I would think it would be inferred that lesser restoration would cure a muted condition if it existed (or greater restoration, if not lesser).
If you're a spell caster, you're likely to have what is necessary to pay a Cleric, Druid, Bard, Paladin or Ranger to cast the relevant one of those spells, so a mute spellcaster doesn't make that much sense, in my opinion. But sign language additionally would conflict with somantic and material components on a number of spells.